Course Descriptions

The art curriculum at the high school level is designed to provide a strong foundation in the visual arts through studio production, art history, criticism, and aestetics. Art students will learn many skills through concepts in art education in preparing them for life experiences both inside and outside the realm of art. Students will explore a variety of different media and techniques, as well as develop a deeper understanding of aesthetics and creative thinking skills. Studying art lends itself to higher level thinking, self-discipline and self-motivation, planning, commitment, and respect for others’ opinions.

A355 UNIVERSAL CONCEPTS IN THE ARTS 10-12 6/6 N/O

This full year course is designed to expose students to the roots of our cultures as found throughout the world. Students will explore these cultures and illustrate the historical influence exerted by individual countries, movements, and time periods on the arts.

A150 ART MAJOR 1 9-12 6/6 1.00 and A250 ART MAJOR 2 10-12 6/6 1.00

(Prerequisite: These courses must be taken in sequence. For Art Major 2, students should have at least an 83% in art upon entering this course. Students with less than 83% enter this course with the advisement that the probability of success will be limited by prior achievement.) The purpose of Art Major 1 and 2 is to introduce the student to the many areas of the Arts. Basic foundations of design, painting and drawing will be included during the course of the year. Emphasis is placed on independent and individual projects. The course is open to all students interested in the different levels of art.

A350 ART MAJOR 3 11-12 6/6 1.00

(Prerequisite: Art Major 1 & 2. Students should have at least an 83% in art upon entering this course. Students with less than an 83% enter this course with the advisement that the probability of success will be limited by prior achievement.) Art Major 3 explores a broader spectrum of creative expression. By using foundations in art learned in Art 1 and Art 2 to reinforce traditional art mediums (acrylic paints, watercolor, charcoal, ink, etc.), the course offers an in-depth study of the art world. The program encourages creative development through an emphasis on independent projects in which the student selects, defines and executes.

A356 ART IN AMERICA 11-12 6/6 N/O

This course is a survey course of art history in America . It will show the influence and growth of art for approximately four hundred years in America . The course will enlighten the student as to the multiplicity of cultures found in American art. For example, English, French, Scotch, Irish, German, Swiss, Italian, Spanish, to name just a few of the many cultures represented in America . Each culture has contributed to the overall aspects of American art history with the influence of their own elements.

A450 ART MAJOR 4 12 6/6 1.00

(Prerequisite: Art Major 1, 2, & 3. Students should have at least an 83% in Art 3 upon entering this course. Students with less than an 83% enter this course with the advisement that the probability of success will be limited by prior achievement.) It is an absolute prerequisite for the student entering Art 4 to have achieved a competency level in Art 1, 2, and 3. The majority of projects in Art 4 emphasize the expansion of individual skills and consequently are more difficult to solve. The student will be challenged on every project. Each student will be expected to maintain a professional portfolio according to their individual skills. The portfolios will be updated consistently as projects improve. The Art 4 student will be expected to exhibit responsibility in the development of school, district, and community art shows.

A460 AP STUDIO ART: PORTFOLIO PREPARATION 12 6/6 1.00

(Prerequisite: Art Majors 1, 2, 3, or a combination of Art Majors and other art courses) This class is designed for seniors who are serious art students considering a career in the field of art. Throughout the course of the year, students will be focusing on foundation art skills such as drawing, painting, design and sculpture. Students will explore a variety of media and techniques, and will also develop a portfolio incorporating original work and photographs and/or slides of work. Students will have an opportunity to submit a portfolio for AP College Board review consisting of Section I: Quality, Section II: Concentration, and Section III: Breadth. Students planning to take the AP Studio Art course need to submit a portfolio of ten pieces completed in their tenth and eleventh grade years, as well as completed paperwork, for review by the high school art department.

A255 JEWELRY CONSTRUCTION (s) 10-12 6/6 0.50

This course is an introduction to the techniques for construction of basic jewelry. A survey of historical and cultural applications of jewelry from various eras and geographical areas will also be undertaken.

A256 CERAMICS (s) 10-12 6/6 0.50

Students will learn the physical and chemical properties of clay and techniques needed to create handbuilt, wheel thrown pottery and sculptural form. The course is taught with an emphasis on historical and comtemporary designs and will stress an introduction and mastery of the processes needed to complete a variety of clay pieces. Glaze application and kiln usage will also be covered in this course.

A257 ADVANCED JEWELRY CONSTRUCTION (s)10-12 6/6 0.50

(Prerequisite: Jewelry Construction) This course is the second level for jewelry construction and is recommended for students who have done well in the introductory semester of jewelry construction. Advanced work in silver soldering, wire fabrication, lost wax casting, metal forming, and stone setting will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on the historical and cultural applications of jewelry making and designing.

A258 ADVANCED CERAMICS (s) 11-12 6/6 0.50

(Prerequisite: Ceramics) Students will learn the advanced techniques needed to complete hand-built and wheel-thrown pottery and sculptural forms. The course will be taught with an emphasis on cultural influences and mastery of textures, glazes, and diverse approaches. The exploration of clay bodies, glazes, modeling techniques, and kiln operation will be staples of the course.

A259 SCULPTURE 10-12 6/6 1.00

(Prerequisite: Art 1 or Ceramics. Students should have at least an 83% in art upon entering this course. Students with less than an 83% enter this course with the advisement that the probability of success will be limited by prior achievement.) The course is an entry level sculpture class for students who have successfully completed Art Major 1 or the Ceramics 1 class. Students should have a basic understanding of drawing, design and a variety of mediums and their applications. There will be an emphasis on the modeling process and spatial elements. Students will explore multiple compositional styles and mastery of historical and contemporary influences on the sculptural process.

A357 FIBER ART 11-12 6/6 1.00

(Prerequisite: Art Major 1 and 2) This course will assist students in exploring many techniques and media in the fiber arts. Students will learn to apply their current art knowledge of basic design skills and expand into creating weavings, batiks, basketry, silk painting, tie-dye, and more.

A358 ADVERTISING ART 11-12 6/6 1.00

(Prerequisite: Art Major 1 and 2. Students should have at least an 83% in art upon entering this course. Students with less than an 83% enter this course with the advisement that the probability of success will be limited by prior achievement.) This course offers and opportunity for students to explore the many facets of advertising art and to learn practical applications of their individual artistic skills. Additionally, this course would challenge students' creativity while learning the basic tools and application procedures such as layout and paste-up, product package design, typography (lettering styles and measurements), and a complete ad campaign from concept to finished product design.